In
its story on Saturday, the Swiss paper reported that a source
close to Blatter said the embattled president
had gotten “messages of support from African and Asian
football associations” that requested he reevaluate the decision
to leave office.

During Blatter’s nearly 20-year tenure, FIFA has dedicated
funding and other attention to football associations throughout
Africa and Asia, regions from where much of his support in
presidential balloting has come.

The 79-year-old
announced his resignation after a series of surprising
indictments and were handed down by US courts against a number of
current and former officials in connection to a
$150 million bribery scheme related to FIFA’s finances and
the awarding of tournaments, including World Cups, to member
nations and organizations. Many of them were arrested in late
May.

The selection of Qatar to
host the 2022 World Cup has stirred controversy and allegations
of bribery.Christian
Hartmann/Reuters

Blatter himself was not named in any of the indictments. He was
elected to a
fifth term just two days after the charges and arrests were
made.

Former FIFA Vice President
Jack Warner during a meeting of his Independent Liberal Party in
Marabella, South Trinidad, June 3, 2015.REUTERS/Andrea De Silva

However, as ESPN notes, it is
not clear who among those trying to take Blatter’s office
could earn a majority of the votes.

While Blatter himself was not named in the probe, some officials
close to him were. US officials reportedly believe that Jerome
Valcke, Blatter’s chief deputy, sent
a $10 million bribe to former FIFA official Jack Warner.